Melissa Hooper is a lawyer, a rule of law expert, and the Director of Human Rights and Civil Society programs at Human Rights First.

Melissa’s research focuses on Russia’s foreign policy strategies of spreading Russian influence and undermining democratic institutions, and the intersection between these strategies and  anti-democratic trends in neighboring countries, most recently Central Europe. She recently investigated Russia’s use of non-governmental organizations, such as foundations and think tanks, to spread anti-democratic ideas and disinformation in Europe; explored the link between Russian disinformation and hate speech in the EU and U.S.; and analyzed the proliferation of “Russian-style” laws and policies targeting independent institutions such as civil society, media, and the judiciary in Hungary and Poland.

Prior to working at Human Rights First, Melissa lived and worked with lawyers, NGOs, and activists in Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.

Fun fact: While living in Russia, Melissa worked on a short film of the band Yo La Tengo. She was the boom operator.